Leading By Example
Meet The New And Returning Board Members Of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.
Editor’s Note: The Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., is a volunteer-based registered neighborhood organization that promotes the character and vibrancy of Park Hill, provides resources, information and advocacy, and preserves quality of life and the history of the neighborhood.
The Greater Park Hill Community board is comprised of volunteer representatives from the nine districts within the neighborhood and at-large representatives. They are elected during the October annual meeting of the GPHC.
This year, members elected three at-large members, and representatives for Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7. The returning Board Chair is Tracey MacDermott. Unless otherwise indicated, the board members can be contacted via the Greater Park Hill Community office at 2823 Fairfax St. or at 303-388-0918. If you are interested in an appointment to a vacant board seat, or want to volunteer your time and expertise to GPHC, contact Ms. MacDermott at chair@greaterparkhill.org.
The following members are officers, district and at-large members of GPHC. Check next month’s issue for information about committee chairs who volunteer their expertise to the Registered Neighborhood Organization.
Board Officers
Board Chair: Tracey MacDermott
Occupation: Clinical Trials Manager for the department of surgery at the CU School of Medicine.
What inspired you to take the leadership position? Many years ago I was asked to serve as treasurer for the neighborhood association. [My wife] Heather and I had just gone through a re-zoning for our part of Park Hill and I wasn’t sure I had the capacity to do anymore for our neighborhood. Over the years I have seen great changes within the organization due to the hard work of previous chairs and so I owe it to them and our neighborhood to continue the work they have done.
Describe your style. To lead by example. We have many leaders within our organization and neighborhood. My hope is that we can continue to work together to continue to improve this wonderful neighborhood.
What is your favorite thing about Park Hill? The many individuals who are not afraid to speak up. Park Hill has been presented with many challenges and every time someone from this neighborhood has been a voice and a set of working hands to work through the issue.
What areas will you focus on in the year ahead? I hope that GPHC can inspire others to take up new projects that help our community, no matter how large or small. I hope others will also volunteer and take the lead on something that improves this wonderful neighborhood.
What help do you need to make the improvements you want to make? There is truly a way for everyone to be involved at Greater Park Hill. I would like every board member to find an area that speaks to them and help guide development in that area. Neighbors can keep helping to keep our Food Pantry stocked. Every Monday and Wednesday we need volunteers to help run the Food Pantry. Last but not least, come to our community meetings – which are the first Thursday of each month – and learn more about what we do and how you can be involved.
Secretary: Bernadette Kelly
Occupation: Construction Project Manager for Jefferson County Public Schools
Your role: As secretary and zoning chair, I address zoning issues in Park Hill such as variance and amendment requests, and new or changes to liquor or marijuana licenses. I attend and maintain minutes for Board/Community and Executive Committee meetings.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.? I needed a zoning variance for alterations to my alley house (existing non-conforming) and asked for GPHC support. There was a need for a new zoning chair as well as a representative for my district, so I volunteered for both positions. That was in January 2008 and I have been involved ever since.
What are your goals? I want to continue to establish an active and ongoing dialog between GPHC and our designated city council member for positive and smart growth in Park Hill that fits the needs of our community and the character of our neighborhood.
What you love about Park Hill: It feels like a small town in a big city with a great sense of community, cool locally owned businesses and restaurants, our parkways for walking or cycling, open space and a beautiful tree canopy.
What addition would you like to see in Park Hill? A dog park.
Best contact: Via the GPHC office.
Treasurer: Bob Homiak
Occupation: I am retired from the U.S. Department of Justice, where I practiced environmental law.
Your role: I work closely with the Chair to establish the budget for the upcoming year and monitor income and expenditures throughout the year to ensure that the organization stays on budget.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.? I have been active as a board member for most of the last 16 years in a variety of positions. I started attending meetings simply out of curiosity, became interested in zoning issues and was asked to fill the then-vacant property use chair, which I did and thoroughly enjoyed being able to participate in a more meaningful way in what GPHC was doing at the time.
What would you like to accomplish? As treasurer, my immediate goal is to develop the 2017 budget.
What do you love about Park Hill? The neighborhood feel and the wide variety of people who live here.
What addition would you like to see in Park Hill? I’d love to see some creative measures employed to deal with the ever-increasing traffic within Park Hill, which is slowly degrading the feel of the neighborhood.
Best contact: Through the GPHC office.
Districts
1. Roger Kilgore
Occupation: I am a water resources engineer, which in my case means I work to create public works that are protected against flooding and do not harm water quality.
Your role: I help bring concerns of District 1 to the board and share information with the district.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.? Park Hill is a wonderful neighborhood and it has been nurtured over the decades by many volunteers in many roles. Serving on the board is one way that I believe I can contribute to the present and future of Park Hill.
What would you like to accomplish? Reinforce the activities that help bring neighbors together and expand efforts to care for those among us with the greatest needs.
What you love about Park Hill: I love the diversity and the positive community spirit.
What addition would you like to see in Park Hill? More walkable commercial opportunities.
Best contact: Phone: 303-333-1408 or email: Kilgore.Roger@centurylink.net
2. Ryan T. Hunter
Occupation: Vice President of Development for Lightshade, Buddy Boy, PotCo and Next1 Labs
Your role: I represent District 2 and from time to time head up special initiatives.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.?: I got involved as a founder of the Park Hill 4th of July Parade six years ago, but I stayed when I learned all the good that GPHC does for our community.
Your goals? I have a long-term view of my involvement in GPHC and want nothing as much as to be a good steward for our neighborhood.
What you love about Park Hill: I love that our neighborhood has a personality. No other neighborhood in the city can say the same.
What addition would you like to see in Park Hill? More concerts and events in City Park.
Best contact: Through the GPHC office.
3. Heather Shockey
Occupation: Director, Outsourced Consulting Services at Mountain States Employers Council.
Your role: Help neighbors become active in their community and provide resources for various engagement.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.?: Initially zoning issues, and then the opportunity to volunteer with a larger group of people for a great neighborhood.
Your goals? Continue to develop relationships with neighbors and business owners so that Park Hill is a vibrant community.
What you love about Park Hill: The people, the architecture, the history, and the proximity to downtown and the mountains.
4. Vacant
5. Blair Taylor
Occupation: My primary occupation is mother of a Park Hill Panther-ette and Montview Community preschooler and wife of a spirited Bronco superfan. I spend the rest of my days as a freelance designer and Colorado State Small Business consultant.
Your role: Representing District 5 residents.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.?: We were approached concerning the intention to develop and rezone a historic property on Montview Boulevard. We met many active and inspirational residents during this process. My philosophy is that if you want to change or preserve something then it is your responsibility to join the conversation.
Your goals? I am interested in meeting more District 5 and Park Hill residents. The city is looking for feedback from residents on their neighborhood’s plan. As a board member I would like to participate in that conversation and contribute to preserving the character of the neighborhood, parkways, and parks. Safety is also something I would like to address. I would like to have an open meeting with residents and the city about the growing traffic problems, which are dangerous for kids.
What you love about Park Hill: I love the unique character and diversity! We have wonderful neighbors on Glencoe Street. My kids love walking to school and the library, all of the fun amenities like street fairs, block parties, and shopping districts.
What addition would you like to see in Park Hill? Our family is always looking for a good breakfast spot, so maybe a place to enjoy a fun and casual brunch/lunch with patio seating.
Best contact: Blair Taylor, 646-584-1033, blairntaylor@gmail.com.
6. James King (Photo and Bio not available)
7. Jon Bowman (Photo Not Available)
Occupation: In December, after a 13 year run with KDVR FOX31/CH2, the stations decided to dump anyone over 55, so in effect I was retired. That said, I am working with Five Points News and Brother Jeff to keep the free flow of information alive in Denver. I also did five years in Denver’s economic development and in the mayor’s office as assistant press secretary.
Your role: Hope will be to keep neighbors up on current issues facing our neighborhood and greater Park Hill.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.? When I came in 1984, one only had to drive through Park Hill to know this was the only neighborhood in which to live. Wonderful neighbors, schools, and easy access to downtown.
Your goals? Give neighbors most info on issues facing the neighborhood and ways to bring quality changes to our part of Park Hill.
What you love about Park Hill: Good neighbors, location, alleys, pocket shopping areas, and closeness to Downtown, Cherry Creek, and to parks and recreation areas.
What addition would you like to see in the neighborhood? New businesses that will provide jobs and allow for continued growth when it comes to services and things that enhance living in Park Hill.
Best contact: Phone: 720.448.5551, email: Ibjb14@yahoo.com
8. Vacant
9. Vacant
10. Lyle Hansen
Occupation: I am currently retired from my business career as a real estate appraiser.
Your role: I represent District 10. I have served with the GPHC Board for many years, having served as chair in the past.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.? Its strong commitment to the community; encouraging fairness in housing and public schools, maintaining a strong relationship with District 2 Police, strong support for local businesses – and, working with dedicated Board members.
What would you like to accomplish? Improving the impact of the East Colfax Avenue corridor upon the quality and property values of real estate in Park Hill. I see improving conditions along the transit corridor but realize that much more can be done to improve the overall quality of Colfax and its impact upon Park Hill.
What do you love about Park Hill? My wife, Sandy, and I have lived in Park Hill since 1968. We have always been active in the neighborhood, being attracted here because of the quality of housing, the neighborhood location, the variety of socio-economic, racial and sexually oriented diversity of our neighbors, and our love for older homes. We live near Johnson and Wales University, which provides a great location for morning walks.
What addition would you like to see? We love everything about Park Hill as it is – the quality and variety of the residences, the mature landscaping, the obvious proud ownership of residences, and the many services in place that provide all the necessary elements for a balanced residential neighborhood.
Best contact: Via the GPHC office.
At Large: Rob Barber
What drew you in to GPHC, Inc.? After moving to Park Hill from the suburbs, and seeing how much pride residents take in Park Hill, I decided to get involved to help keep Park Hill great.
Your goals? To help keep Park Hill a great place to live and raise our children.
What you love about Park Hill: It’s great to have so many things within walking distance. Our neighbors are great. I can honestly say that there isn’t anything I don’t like about Park Hill.
Best phone and/or email contact: 303-489-2127, robbarber.parkhill@gmail.com
Lisa Clark
Occupation: I own a small business that locates and coordinates contractors. We also shop for samples and handle logistics, so that people can live their lives seamlessly.
What do you love about Park Hill? This community is absolutely wonderful. I love how many points of view we have, how supportive we are of our residents and how much we do for each other.
Your goals? My mission is to welcome our new homeowners and let them know what we do for our community as an organization. I am also committed to helping in anyway I can.
Best contact: Feel free to reach out to me voice or text at 303-506-6885.
George Dennis
Occupation: I retired three years ago from my “give back” career – six years as parole officer for the Colorado Department of Corrections. Prior to that my corporate career involved marketing, publishing, training and competitor intelligence. The common denominator is communication and people contact, with a bit wider variety of people than most.
Your role? I’m new, so my role is yet to be defined. Whatever is in my background that GPHC can use is certainly on offer.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.?: When you love a neighborhood as much as we love Park Hill, you incur a responsibility to have some involvement in its maintenance and success. My daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter recently moved here, so the neighborhood is a long-term investment for us. GPHC involvement seemed the best way to initiate things and improve whatever needs improving. The people we’ve met through guiding five home tours are just damn nice to boot.
What would you like to accomplish? As a preservationist I’d like to help insure Park Hill maintains its leafy, human scale ambience, with local businesses and a broad assortment of housing and service options for kids, seniors and everyone in between.
What you love about Park Hill: Park Hill’s setting is just perfect. Close to downtown with a cleaner, more human feel.
What addition would you like to see in Park Hill? Charging stations for electric vehicles would be a nice nod to a cleaner future. The ex-offender community (yes folks, they’re here) could probably use some outreach as well.
Best contact: Email is gdennis67@centurylink.net, phone contact should be through the GPHC Office.
Dave Felice
Occupation: I am a computer hardware technician at CenturyLink. I am retiring this year after nearly 39 years at “the phone company.”
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.? I believe everyone has an obligation to be involved at whatever level she or he is comfortable. The Registered Neighborhood Organization is an opportunity to represent all the members of the community. In collaboration with other RNOs in the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation consortium, Greater Park Hill can effectively represent the interests of Denver citizens. GPHC is an organization that truly serves the neighborhood needs.
Your goals? I will let the organization determine the objectives and goals. GPHC has many responsibilities. Our hard working volunteers provide a tremendous community service resource.
What do you love about Park Hill? The community is very much like a small town, with a variety of ethnicities, of social interests, of commerce, and of strong residential character.
Louis Plachowski
Occupation: Owner/Managing Broker of the real estate company, DenverWelcomeHome.com LLC.
What drew you into GPHC? Park Hill has been very good to me both in a personal and professional way. Being involved was one way to give thanks to the community.
Your goals? I hope to continue to serve and perhaps inspire others to do likewise.
What do you love about Park Hill? Park Hill’s beautiful streets and charming homes. I enjoy my friendly neighbors who are from all different backgrounds. I like to shop at the lovely, quaint shops that are not part of corporate chains. I especially enjoy the close proximity to City Park.
Pat Quinn
Occupation: I have had many, quite different, occupations during my career, but by far the best is retiree.
What drew you to GPHC, Inc.? We have lived in Park Hill for over 15 years, enjoying the people we have come to know, the places, the parks. We wanted to become involved in the community, and the best way to do that is with GPHC. I help distribute our newspaper, and help with the Garden Walk every June.
Your goals? I would like to see expansion of our very successful Food Pantry, so more residents can be served. In addition, I would like our building to become the center for local meetings and Park Hill resident events to expand our presence in the community.
Best contact: Via the GPHC office.